Xu Lei began to think about his strategy.
Only by driving up traffic could the efficiency of his seed-sowing be improved.
Only if enough children were born could the reincarnation function be stabilized.
On Earth, driving traffic to a website wasn't so easy.
But here, in an ancient era far more primitive than modern Earth, driving traffic to a temple should still be doable.
「The next day.」
Xu Lei descended the mountain.
At the foot of the mountain, he saw massive construction projects underway everywhere.
In addition to a Palace being built in the outskirts, the surrounding roads and other infrastructure all had to be repaired.
The reason? To welcome the arrival of the 'Saint'.
The Government simply didn't treat people like human beings.
But the common people didn't dare to resist.
After all, the suffering was limited to those conscripted for labor.
Those who weren't conscripted were still living comfortably at home.
Each household only had to send one person for the hard labor.
Thus, these sacrificial lambs could only endure the harsh servitude.
Even if someone wanted to rebel, a single rallying cry would be useless.
Only those oppressed by the hard labor held any resentment. The ones who didn't have to serve had few complaints.
Naturally, they wouldn't join a rebellion.
Besides, many who came to serve did so for the sake of their families back home.
It was, in a way, a sacrifice for their loved ones.
Rebel just because you can't stand the work?
What would happen to your family then?
They could only endure.
Serving was the natural order of things!
If you really couldn't take it anymore, you could only have a brother come take your place!
If you had no one at home to rotate with, then you were out of luck!
Of course, no one had died yet.
It was just that some people had no one to switch places with.
After serving under such high intensity for a long time, their bodies would suffer great damage, and their lives would surely be shortened.
"Everyone, we're still behind schedule! Work faster!"
Just then, a handsome official of about thirty appeared. He announced loudly, "We must finish this within a month! I, your official, will advance and retreat with you!"
This was the County Magistrate of this county.
In order to meet the deadline, he was giving it his all.
A dignified County Magistrate, personally joining the work, sharing in the hardships of the people.
Because of this, although the conscripted laborers were at their breaking point, they couldn't find anything to complain about.
'If I hadn't entered Longyuan Temple, I'd probably be one of these laborers right now.'
Observing all this, Xu Lei thought to himself, 'And I'd be the most miserable kind, the one with no brothers or family to take my place. I'd have to serve from start to finish on my own. By the time it was over, even if I wasn't dead, I'd be half-dead.'
About fifteen minutes later, Xu Lei saw a middle-aged official, responsible for maintaining order among the laborers, climb onto a high platform. He announced to the toiling workers:
"The deadline for this project is fixed.
Although the Palace is being built to host the Saint on a potential tour,
the paving of the roads and so on is for the good of everyone.
Don't say we officials are enslaving you and not treating you like humans!
Our Lord County Magistrate is personally working alongside you to meet the deadline!
Furthermore, he has seen that some of you have no brothers to take your shift and have fallen ill.
The Lord County Magistrate cannot bear to see this!
Therefore, the Lord County Magistrate's wife, the Lady of the County Magistrate, has also come!
The Lady comes from a Noble Family of physicians!
Starting today, she will provide free medical consultations for everyone!
She will strive to prevent any of you from actually dying because you cannot endure the labor!
Of course, her medical skills are extraordinary. If any of you pretend to be sick in an attempt to evade your duties, that will be a crime on top of a crime, punishable by death without mercy!"
After he finished speaking,
a voluptuous woman in her twenties with her hair pinned up, her face covered by a veil, appeared with a retinue of maids carrying medicine chests.
Her appearance caused many of the conscripted laborers to turn and stare, setting off a wave of murmurs.
Many sighed that the Lord County Magistrate was a lucky man.
Although she wore a veil, the skin it revealed was fair and delicate.
And her figure... wow. Even the ancient-style robes couldn't hide those curves.
Xu Lei walked leisurely on.
He was now dressed in a Monk's robes.
He even carried a Monk's Certificate.
He was an official Monk of Longyuan Temple.
Therefore, no one could order him around as he wandered about.
And certainly no one would drag him off for labor duty.
Xu Lei continued to walk and observe.
An idea had already begun to form in his mind.
Essentially, he was planning to offer up some mechanical techniques from Earth.
That way,
the project's efficiency would surely increase,
and the pressure on the conscripted laborers would be lessened.
But what should he introduce to achieve the best results?
Xu Lei needed to observe the situation here.
Moreover, how could he present it in a way that he could do a good deed while also securing benefits for himself?
This was also something Xu Lei was considering.
What Xu Lei wanted, naturally, was to increase the temple's popularity—specifically, to drive up the "traffic" of people praying for children.
To handle this matter well, he needed to pay attention to many details.
Therefore, he had to gather more information.
And so, Xu Lei continued to walk and observe.
Half an hour later, Xu Lei saw the Lord County Magistrate's wife, the voluptuous woman with her hair pinned up, moving continuously among the conscripted workers.
She was providing services like pulse diagnosis, acupuncture, and therapeutic massage to many of the laborers.
Xu Lei then overheard some of the commoners' discussions:
"Even the Lady's voice is so beautiful!"
"Could she be a celestial fairy descended to the mortal world?"
"So what? She can't have children! Useless!"
"The Lord County Magistrate is already thirty, and he doesn't even have a daughter, let alone a son!"
"Afraid his family line is going to end!"
"Speaking of which, she can't have kids? What's the deal? Hasn't she gone to Longyuan Temple to pray for a child?"
"I heard that praying for a child at Longyuan Temple is supposedly quite effective!"
"That's what they say, but who knows if it's true!"
"Seems like someone mentioned it to the Lady, but she comes from a family of doctors. She doesn't believe in the Divine Buddha!"
"So she's never been to Longyuan Temple!"
"No wonder!"
"Shh! You dare gossip about this? Be careful!"
"Or they'll rip your tongue out!"
Although the Lady of the County Magistrate was a noble figure, the common folk's love for gossip burned fiercely, unable to be suppressed.
'This woman can't have children either? Could it be that the Lord County Magistrate is... incapable?'
Hearing this gossip, Xu Lei's heart stirred. 'If that's the case, and if I can make this woman a believer, she'll surely come to Longyuan Temple to pray for a child.'
And if she came to pray for a child...
Considering the Lord County Magistrate's appearance, and for the sake of the offspring's looks,
it would naturally be up to Xu Lei to painstakingly perform his Charitable Giving for her, night after night.
"Divine Monk, the labor is harsh and bitter! I beg you, Divine Monk, save us!"
Just as Xu Lei was thinking this, a young girl's voice suddenly called out from nearby.
"Hmm?"
Xu Lei turned his head and saw that it was the tea-picking girl from before.
Zhao Tieniu's daughter.
Her name was Zhao Xiaocha.
She had come to bring a meal to her father, Zhao Tieniu, who was on labor duty.
At that moment, Zhao Tieniu was also nearby.
He was dressed in filthy cloth robes.
Though it had been just over a month since Xu Lei had last seen him, he had become much darker and thinner.
He seemed haggard and had aged a great deal.
You could see the exhaustion deep in his eyes.
But he was the only man in his family.
So he had no choice but to continue serving.
"Little Divine Monk, my father has been serving for many days and is about to collapse from exhaustion!"
Zhao Xiaocha pleaded, "To finish such a huge project in such a short time... SOB... I'm afraid if my father keeps working this hard, he'll really collapse one day!
Your Divine Power is vast. Is there any way you can save my father and save all these pitiful people? I... I'm begging you! Please, show mercy!"
As she spoke, she fell to her knees.
And at that moment, before Xu Lei could say anything,
the Lady of the County Magistrate, the beautiful and voluptuous young woman who had just finished treating a fainted laborer, happened to walk out, striding on her long legs, her slender waist and full hips swaying gently.
When she saw Zhao Xiaocha kneeling before a young Monk like Xu Lei and calling him a Divine Monk, she frowned in displeasure.
"You charlatans have no place here! Leave at once!"
Her beautiful eyes flashed as she rebuked him in a cold, delicate voice, "Do not interfere with the project's schedule. This is no place for you to beg!"
Her tone was truly feminine.
But her words were condescending.
Just as expected of the noble Lady of the County Magistrate.
She showed not a shred of respect for Xu Lei in his Monk's robes, confirming that she was indeed a woman who did not believe in the Divine Buddha.
Of course, Xu Lei wasn't the least bit angry. In fact, a smile appeared on his face.
Because he was thinking that performing Charitable Giving for such a noble and proud Lady of the County Magistrate would feel absolutely incredible!